As much as artists (and fans) may not want to admit, comparisons are one of the most prevalent pillars in Hip-Hop. When looking at music from a roundabout point of view, it only makes sense in a genre which prides itself on a “I’m-better-than-you” mantra. The other day I found myself listening to nothing but Southern rap music. It’s not that I intended for this to happen; it just did. ‘Face, Goodie Mobb, UGK, Outkast, Devin The Dude, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, The Hot Boys, Luda, Jeezy…you name it, damn near everybody below the Mason-Dixon line was in rotation. That’s when I came to the conclusion (well, question) which is sure to ruffle a few feathers and likely lose me a few followers on Twitter.

Could T.I. really be the greatest Southern artist…ever? Before you deem me as an idiot, hear me out.

Years ago when Tip proclaimed himself as the ‘King of the South’, many laughed and shook it off as another artist who simply jumped the gun at announcing his own greatness. Now, when looking at his musical resume’, he may be just that.

1. Numbers Don’t Lie — As a solo artist, you’d be hard pressed to find another who has seen the success Clifford has since his rise to prominence in 2002. Excluding his extremely underrated debut, I’m Serious, and the P$C group album, 25 To Life, his last five (yes FIVE) solo albums have all scanned over a million copies. Aside from Jay, Em and Nas (and soon to be Kanye and Wayne), there aren’t many living artists who can say they’ve had an entire handful of albums reach a million people…respectively. A couple of Grammys doesn’t hurt the cause either.

3. The Mixtape Game — While his resume’ isn’t as polished as say a Lil’ Wayne, Gucci Mane or Young Jeezy on the mixtape scene, all you really need is one classic under your belt to garner eternal respect in that area. To this day, Down With The King is still one of DJ Drama’s most ballyhooed releases. Now imagine the buzz which could surface if he drops another one with Drama post-prison. I’m just sayin’.

4. Career Ender — Ok, Luda got him on “Stomp.” That’s understood. Lil’ Flip and Shawty Lo, however, weren’t so lucky. Sure, the two of them aren’t the most respected lyricists in the world, but neither career has been the same after finding themselves on T.I.’s bad side. Flipperachi hasn’t been heard from in years and Shawty Lo has no release date in site for his new album. Just so we’re all on the same accord, this ended Flip’s musical existence.

5. Stamp of Approval — You name ‘em and nine times out of 10 they’ve co-signed Tip. Scarface, UGK, B.G., Jay-Z, Outkast, Eminem, Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Trick Daddy, 8Ball & MJG, Common, Swizz Beatz, The Game, Maino, Nas, Cam’ron, D-Block, Joe Budden. The list goes on. Point is, he’s highly respected by his peers and basically the entire country as one of the premiere artists making music today.

6. A Bonafide Classic — By December 31, 2009, Trap Muzik should be accepted as an undeniable classic and one of the better albums of the decade. Take some time to review the tracklist and attempt to pick a ‘bad’ song. Go ahead, try it. That being said, I’m Serious and Urban Legend often find their names in the category of his best album and in debates over whether or not they deserve to be mentioned as ‘classics.’ Paper Trail wasn’t bad either and has aged exceptionally well since its release this time last year.

7. “I’m A Bankhead N*gga, I’ll Take Yo Cookies” — By no means am I placing Tip above Luda in the ‘guest features’ category (or even Wayne for that matter), but IF he appeared on more artists’ records, who knows what the argument could be? Ask Khaled, Justin, Jeezy, Lupe, Kanye, Yung LA and Big Kuntry about featuring Bankhead’s ambassador on their record and see where they rank him. Then again, it’s no question his verse on Bonecrusher’s anthem is one of the better features of the decade. Right?

8. “Welcome To The Trap” — For better or for worse (depending who you ask), Tip is largely credited with bringing the image and embodiment of ‘the trap’ to the forefront of Hip-Hop. He wasn’t the first to mention it in his rhymes, but he was basically the first to embrace and present it on a national level. After him, artists such as Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane and most recently, Pill, have taken the subgenre of ‘trap rap’ to new heights. Yet and still, Tip’s influence is never far away.

Truthfully, I’m expecting this to be met with all types of hate. Instigating that a current artist may possibly be “better” than a legend is essentially a cardinal sin in Hip-Hop. However, removing bias or personal alligence, take a look at Tip’s track record. If he’s not greater than ‘Face/Dre (or whoever you think), he’s the closest one.

Below, video previews of T.I.’s “Behind the Music” episode airs 8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 8 on VH1. See another preview after the jump.

Join The Discussion

I’m not sure that he has a classic under his belt yet. Just a series of dope albums.

10.04.09 at 11:09 am

Champ

Tip is definitely top 3 in the South…..no one should dispute that. In my opinion, Dre is easily better.

10.04.09 at 11:12 am

sheck

Mr. Tinsley, have you ever listened to OutKast? Not only did they put the dirty south on the map, they’ve been the most successful group in that region with out selling out. TI on the other hand made the song “live your life” and “dead and gone”–cheesy pop music outkast would never attempt to make.

You can’t front on OutKast cause they truly are the kings of the south.

10.04.09 at 11:31 am

J. Tinsley

Hold on, so “Dead & Gone” is cheesy pop music?

10.04.09 at 11:34 am

Since_1979

Luda has sold more albums on the solo tip, but outside of “Word of Mouf” I haven’t really felt any of his solo albums all the way through. IMO “Trap Musik” and “Paper Trail” are classics. What he needs is a universally accepted classic. If he could put together a classic going in, the album after he comes home should be even better. IMO Uncle Face is his only competition for the title of best solo southern artist ever.

10.04.09 at 11:40 am

Stay Frosty

10 Reasons For T.I’s Current Reign
——————————————–

There’s only 8.

10.04.09 at 12:01 pm

Pacman24

luda might go down as the most underrated south lyricist ever – this is not coming form the biggest luda fan either but theater of the mind was alot better then Paper Trail which was T.I. ‘s worst album next to T.I. vs T.I.P.

10.04.09 at 12:07 pm

Ronstar

What about scarface?

10.04.09 at 12:09 pm

sir sheck

J,
You got me on “dead and gone”, I’m just not a big fan of the song. Either way, the major difference, in my opinion, is the ability of an artist to put out an album you can listen to from start to finish. You can do that on every OutKast album. TI on the other hand has songs you simply hit next on. In terms of current popularity I think your argument holds true, but I think you can’t deny the fact that Andre and Big Boi are innovators (when did you ever hear a song like Spottieottiedogaliscious on a hip-hop album?)

10.04.09 at 12:13 pm

FREE willy

r u kidding me not even close TI is mabey top 10 but outkast lil wayne end of discussion wayne and outkast shit on T.I. all day T.I. is ok at mixtape and his songs are okay rap i mean whos really scared of T.I. if i saw that nigga runin up onme smak him in his face trap shit he isnt really that good okay is all

10.04.09 at 12:35 pm

Gotty™

Enh, no disrespect to Dre but TI is the reigning king. From streets to retail, TI’s gotten full respect.

As for classsics, you can end all discussion w/Trap Muizk but we’ll wait until four more years & folks appreciate Paper Trail for what it is — a successful album that proved acceptable to radio & OG fans.

“Dead & Gone” – have you truly listened to the lyrics, keeping TI’s personal history in mind? It & “Live Your Life” may feel “cheesey” but they’re nothing but authentic in their lyrical content. Only thing that might be diff is their sound & the fact that they feature popular artists. But that’s the diff b/w making limited music & being a popular, relevant artist who raps. Same as Jay. I said it before in a post, I know 6yo kids & 60 yo white men who KNOW those songs just as well as we all do. So to discredit them would only show how limited an understanding of music as entertainment & a “business” a listener would be.

10.04.09 at 12:46 pm

SDOTWARD

nice write up

10.04.09 at 1:00 pm

E. Brock A.K.A. I Love Chrisette Michele

As far as the South goes, I can give T.I.P. his due….

But I wouldn’t dare give him the title of The Best In The South; Uncle Brad and OutKast has something to say about that.

Argue if you will, but OutKast has THREE (3) classics in a row: ATLiens, Aquemini, and Stankonia.

I’m not sure I agree, but I understand. He’s certainly the closest thing the south has to Jay-Z.

10.04.09 at 1:10 pm

quithatinonthesouth

r. Tinsley, have you ever listened to OutKast? Not only did they put the dirty south on the map, they’ve been the most successful group in that region with out selling out. TI on the other hand made the song “live your life” and “dead and gone”–cheesy pop music outkast would never attempt to make.

You can’t front on OutKast cause they truly are the kings of the south.
^^^^^^^^
Heeeey now wait a minute, Dre 3000 has made some cheesy ass pop.

10.04.09 at 1:13 pm

ARon

To me T.I. is th Jay-Z of the South. He is versatile, making songs for everyone, but it stops there. No real depth, no real artistic boundaries being pushed, he isn’t trying anything new. I’ll still never forget when I watched T.I. on TRL once, yeah TRL. They were asking him about his new album coming out, I think it may have been Urban Legend I don’t remember, and they ran through the track list asking him about each track. And I swear to you every answer was, “this one is for them haters man.” Sprinkle in your “This is one of them for the ladies” and that was it. I felt bad for him cus I’m a fan you know, I was like damn his PR people must be going “Fuck!”, it was bad. Anyway, dude who brought up Kast is spot on, even Face still gets the nod. Face has a classic, an undeniable classic, which Trap Muzik is not. It has Be Easy which might be my favorite T.I. track, and also good singles, yeah Be Easy was the best, with 24’s and Rubber Band Man but it’s not classic material. The album is solid but there is no way you can tell me Long Live Da Game or something like I Can’t Quit is classic music. It’s a solid album but nah.

I bet some people will hate for me saying Jay has no depth but whatever. BPIII is my best argument for that reasoning, as soon as he stopped rapping about the same shit over and over we got that album. That album was overrated too, Jay was sub par on it. Black Album was one where he went more introspective at least.

T.I had the chance to do that with Paper Trail. The events happening in his life, or ones that were about to happen, were going to set him up to make the album of his career. He didn’t do it. He had the chance to touch hearts and talk about some real life shit like him knowing he is going to prison and what not. How it will affect him and his family, where his head is at, put some shit in perspective and talk about it. He did it a little but he still did his “veratility” bullshit.

I still chuckle everytime I see other peoples ideas on what merits greatness. Not cus I think it’s dumb, which I can’t lie some is, but it’s shit I would never regard.

Sorry for the length.

10.04.09 at 1:24 pm

jesse h.

I’m rolling with Outkast.

10.04.09 at 1:27 pm

Cell Thuropy

Gotty said:

Enh, no disrespect to Dre but TI is the reigning king. From streets to retail, TI’s gotten full respect.

IDK about anywhere else but here in Atlanta T.I. isn’t really that respected in the streets. I mean if you ask a Bankhead dude bout Tip they are gonna say he’s not really from here and that REALLY get’s them boiling.

And the only way you can put any southern artist over Mr. 3000 (no Bearnie) is by the comparison of QUANTITY. This is my official statement on dude…

IF ANDRE 3000 HAD A LARGER CATALOG, THERE WOULDN’T BE A DISCUSSION OF IF HE WAS THE BEST IN THE SOUTH (which in my opinion is like being called the best ‘black’ something. HE WOULD BE IN A TOP 3 GOAT CONVO.

10.04.09 at 1:35 pm

Classic Ice

Im going to go top 3, with jeezy, 3k, and T.I in no specific order. But if 3000 was a solo artist instead of in a duo this would be his crown..

10.04.09 at 1:37 pm

PETEY the GREAT

ugk,8ball MJG, ghetto boys and 3 6 were all putting it down before outkast…they didnt put the south on the map

10.04.09 at 1:51 pm

August

Word. It could be argued that Outkast brought a new focus of attention to the south, though.

10.04.09 at 1:55 pm

Cell Thuropy

Petey the Great

putting it on the map doesn’t mean you were the 1st to do it, it just means you brought at least national awareness to you’re area.Though these are legendary groups, Ugk didnt do that, 3 6 didnt do that, Now GB they did bring awareness to the south but when I think of the biggest southern group 1st I think 98 Outkast started to get heavy consistent rotation outside of the southern region.

10.04.09 at 2:31 pm

PETEY the GREAT

@ cell

I respect your opinion, and im not sure what age bracket you fit into but the south was bubbling way before outkast…niggas wasnt sleeping on UGK Or any of them groups that i mentioned…scarface was all over the charts back then outkast just benefitted from being part of the laface movment that tlc helped usher into the game…they may have put ATL on the map but not the south fam…

10.04.09 at 2:42 pm

Sir Run Run Paw

Whilst I give T.I. his rightfully earned kudos, the Kings of the South are Outkast, they have enjoyed genuine international success and acclaim.

10.04.09 at 2:59 pm

Since....1979

Ya’ll missing the point. Whenever there was a king of ny discussion, Wu-Tang didn’t get included. 3000 has next to no solo material. If you look at solo artist only, TI has to been given serious thought. Wayne dosent have an album anyone considers classic. At the end of the day though, Face has about 4 classics so he wears the crown. This next album is make or break for TIP.

10.04.09 at 3:22 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

Tip is the southern version of Jay-Z.

Thee’s no doubt about this. There’s no other artist who matches his technical skill and he’s one of the few who has gotten true crossover success without compromising the music…for the most part.

He just doesn’t have the same caliber of albums as Jay.

I know people like it but Paper Trail is not a classic album. Neither is King. But Tip is still young and in time he should be able to add a few more notches on his belt. My concern is that Tip is gonna go the Luda route and sanitize his content to appeal to mainstream audiences. Paper Trail seemed like a strong step in that direction.

10.04.09 at 3:24 pm

cho son

Like Gotty and ARon already said, I think TI is the king of the South like Jay-Z is the reigning king of rap. As an overall rapper, he has it down in terms of record sales, versatility, lyricism, flow, etc.

But much like one can dispute Jay’s kingship, one can dispute TI’s reign. TI, much like Jay, is not going to push artistic, societal, and/or musical boundaries. Instead, they seem pretty comfortable being the status quo for what is “in”.

Outkast (and more specifically, Andre) on the other hand, continually push artistic boundaries. Dre is one of the few dudes that is not afraid to take his music to the left and make deep statements about society.

And let’s not forget about Scarface. He has laid the foundation for other southern rappers (read: TI) to get on. Without Face, would there have been opportunities for TI to become the artist that he has become? If TI were in the same position as Face, would he have sold the same amount of records that he has sold today?

10.04.09 at 3:27 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

And Scarface is the king of the South.

Yeah, Tip sold alotta records, but let’s keep it 100.

Face been doing this before most of the cats in it today and still garners respect and attention whenever he decides to drop a project. Not to mention he’s been on an indie for the majority of his career and still got that major label love.

Face is the southern GOAT, no disrespect to anyone else.

10.04.09 at 3:29 pm

Sir Run Run Paw

TIP is the Jay-Z of the South?

Now, now let’s not get carried away here people.

10.04.09 at 3:36 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

TIP is the Jay-Z of the South?

Now, now let’s not get carried away here people.
===================================================
No one else comes close. I saw Tip as a young Jay-Z since his I’m Serious days.He’s able to articulate the trap the same way Jay was able to articulate his experience in New York.

10.04.09 at 3:42 pm

cho son

TIP is the Jay-Z of the South?
Now, now let’s not get carried away here people.

==================

I don’t think anyone is arguing that TIP is as good as Jay or as popular as Jay. He has a similar feel [||] as an artist that Jay does. He’s like Jay’s mini-me.

10.04.09 at 3:52 pm

PETEY the GREAT

Paper Trail is not a classic album. Neither is King.
————————————

agreed.

10.04.09 at 4:04 pm

Sir Run Run Paw

@Ampgeez and Cho Son, points taken on board.

Like TIP personifies the spirit of the South within his music the same way Jay Z personifies the New York state of mind within his music? If so, then fair enough.

Speaking as an individual from across the Atlantic, I always believed that TIP has got the potential to take it to the next level within the realms of music and enjoy genuine international appeal and acclaim like Jay Z.

However, TIP’s albums are a bit too scattershot and unfocused for my taste buds.

Paper Trail had moments of sheer brilliance and personal insight, however, if he can make his next set lean and fat free and keep it introspective then it should get the attention that it deserves.

Of all the Southern based solo artists, yes, I must admit TIP is the shining star. Lil Wayne might be huge in the USA, but he will never make it in Europe, Asia or Africa and that’s a fact jack!

TIP’s got the potential to globally trail blaze like Outkast.

10.04.09 at 4:06 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

But Tip has another classic album in him. Maybe more then one.

If Trap Music was his Reasonable Doubt, this next album needs to be his Blueprint, just so he can really solidify his standing cause judging by some of the comments in this post, cats still don’t believe.

I thought every body understood that Tip is one of the premier MC’s right now, regardless of region.

10.04.09 at 4:07 pm

Sam C

i can respect the opinion but I always liked other rappers from the south more like Luda and Outkast. I don’t like saying people are over/underrated but Luda really gets glossed over despite solo success and his ability to show and prove on the mic. It’s unfair! (c) T.O.

T.I.>>>>>>>>> Jay-z. at this point
Flip got killed by his label, not T.I…..
Face is king whether he wants it or not

10.04.09 at 4:26 pm

Teef

^ pretty much agreed on all 3 points

10.04.09 at 4:29 pm

Johnny Blaze

I can agree with most, if not all, of your reasoning. While Tip’s not my favorite artist from the South (although he’s in the top ten for sure), I don’t think there is any point in denying his current position or talent. To the people arguing that T.I. isn’t the Jay-Z of the South, who is? Understand I’m not saying he is on Jay’s level, but come on. Cosigns, discography, sales, influence. Check, check, check, and check. He’s not the original, but no doubt he’s the current.

10.04.09 at 4:32 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

And yes this turned into a Luda VS T.I. debate as usual.
======================================================
There is no debate in my mind.

Luda does what he does and he gets respected for it. He’s successful outside of his rap career and definitely amongst the most consistent MCs out but you could never honestly enter his name in a “King Of The South” convo and expect him to come out a winner.

And yeah, at this point, Tip does Jay-Z better then Jay-Z.

10.04.09 at 4:32 pm

Johnny Blaze

I respect Scarface as much as anyone but he’s not doing King numbers any more. Emeritus sounds about right.

10.04.09 at 4:36 pm

Trill Smith AKA the Fresh Prince of The South

honestly, why is “of the south” necessary? as if the aforementioned names can’t hang wit (or outdo)their peers in others parts of the country….

But all this idolatry simply because someone reps the underworld better is lame

10.04.09 at 4:40 pm

Sir Run Run Paw

@Teef, btw, I forgot to mention, your mum proposed to me earlier today, and I gladly accepted, we gonna be family, son!

But anyway, back to the topic, I respect what Scarface has done, but truth be told, he doesn’t really have genuine star appeal, does he?

To me it seems as if Ludacris’ music is on the backburner, he is more interested in acting at the moment. He’sa pretty good actor actually.

If T.I. can do a movie and music tie in for his next project, like a big scale event. You know like his equivalent of Purple Rain, then that just might crack the walnut.

10.04.09 at 4:50 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

Tip could be rapping about being a struggling college student and he’d do it with more passion and fever then I’ve ever seen from Luda. Plus, he’s continued to improve as an MC where I think Luda kinda stalled out artistically after Chicken & Beer (even though I liked Release Therapy).

10.04.09 at 4:52 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

To me it seems as if Ludacris’ music is on the backburner, he is more interested in acting at the moment. He’sa pretty good actor actually.
===============================================
Regardless of how much he talks about the lack of respect he gets as an MC, being the illest rapper he can be stopped being a priority for Luda a while ago.

10.04.09 at 4:53 pm

Trill Smith AKA the Fresh Prince of The South

^if he were to do that, he should hope for more Purple Rain and less Idlewild..but he should definitely avoid something like what B.I.S.D looks like at this point

@ teef I get what you’re sayin on that underworld thing…like all them folks that say Gucci>>>>Jeezy..cuz “gucci keep it 100″..even though Jeezy is the far superior artist

10.04.09 at 4:55 pm

Trill Smith AKA the Fresh Prince of The South

that was at Paw…

10.04.09 at 4:56 pm

Since_1979

Keeping it funky, nobody is really checking for Luda like that anymore. He dropped out of the race when he started doing movie. At that point he really stopped caring. I own “Theater of the Mind” and have yet to open or listen to it. Just not really interested.

10.04.09 at 5:00 pm

Johnny Blaze

^Do yourself a favor and rip off that plastic.

10.04.09 at 5:02 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

Plus, I think Tip has not only surpassed Luda as an MC, but as a music executive and an actor as well.

The only reason Tip isn’t where he should be right now is that those gun charges and the jail time have derailed his career for the 2nd time.

10.04.09 at 5:07 pm

Chris Searl

Great article, and as is, sparked some dope discussion.

But me being a huge Luda fan, I gotta take him actively over TI but only by a bit, and only because of Nostalgic reasons… Both have similar numbers in terms of #1 albums, top 40, 25, 10 and #1 singles, and both have a handfull of Top features.

The only reason I think TI is currently the “King” is because of the most recent results: Paper Trail is approaching 3 Million apparently and has 5 Top 5 singles… TOTM isn’t even platinum yet and the singles flopped like a dead fish.

When Release Therapy came out, this article could have been done with some names and words changed.

10.04.09 at 5:10 pm

slicktiptheruler

ok, let’s keep this really funky. 3 Stacks has no wack verses. ever. in your damn life. Seriously. Think about everytime you knew Andre 3000 was coming up in a song line-up either featured or as a part of Outkast and NOT anticipate his verse. Take that second (or two) and just think about it. Singing, harmonizing, rapping, even fucking ad-libbing – it’s all dope. Everybody say quality over quantity with 3000 when the top MC conversation comes up to justify his spot. You fucking kidding? 6 Group projects (gotta include Idlewild which was really dope), classic southern records (think about this – Outkast had a greatest hits CD BEFORE Speakerboxx/The Love Below where they got 6-7 more classic Outkast records at least) and a platinum list of features and we still talking bout’ “we ain’t seen enough”? This is my opinion – for most of MCs, if we say we need to see more to make a ranking, we mean exactly that. However, for 3000, what we really mean is that we miss the shit of his presence in rap music. So – he is the King of the South. He just doesn’t LOOK like the King of the South. That’s why he always questioned. Tip looks like it but he hasn’t built the resume to match it. And don’t talk to me about potential because on the real, he’s been doing this shit on a pro level for 11 years. There’s no denying that. Trap Muzik is that record of his but otherwise, we’re talking 3.75 – 4.00 albums from there on out. High quality – yes. Best out of the South? Hardly.

The only thing I hate about 3K though is that Big Boi will never get his rightful due as having the same technical brilliance because of the shine that 3k get. But whatever – time always shows the truth and the world will know that soon enough.

10.04.09 at 5:12 pm

Sir Run Run Paw

@Trill, definitely more Purple Rain and less Idlewild! :)

The grand hip hop movie opera is still a chestnut that needs to cracked.

I’ve always found the South to be more mysterious and alluring for movie type settings and TIP has already dipped his feet into the acting pool, so he might as well go in deep! (South).

You ever seen those films Eve’s Bayou or Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil? If TIP can marry this type of vibe with introspect from his own mindstate, then he might be on to a winner. (No Tyler Perry or Spike Lee though).

10.04.09 at 5:23 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a I'm A Jerk

3000 still raps?

10.04.09 at 5:29 pm

Sam C

But all this idolatry simply because someone reps the underworld better is lame

======

I can agree with that somewhat. Only because i’d be a hypocrite to lambast T.I. as I like The Clipse. Then again I like the Clipse because of how they rhyme and not so much because of what they rhyme about. And…

======

@ teef I get what you’re sayin on that underworld thing…like all them folks that say Gucci>>>>Jeezy..cuz “gucci keep it 100?..even though Jeezy is the far superior artist
=======

I’m sayin tho. Gucci Mane can be VERY entertaining (I laughed throughout “Break Up”) but I’d rather listen to Jeezy at the end of the day even though they rap about the same stuff.

10.04.09 at 6:18 pm

Since....1979

3000 drops a verse a year!! I don’t care how dope it is, that’s not enough of in output. And its been like that for a good 5 years. Biggie has had more albums in death than 3000 has alive! Make no mistake, I feel Kast is the best group ever but you have to rap to be considered a rapper

10.04.09 at 7:47 pm

Adam

I’m a T.I. fan and I’ve read your case in poin mr author in full and I STILL think its a ludicrous suggestion.

10.04.09 at 8:02 pm

Douglas Howser

T.I. is the King of the South.

10.04.09 at 8:08 pm

The Joker

No disrespect, but how many people posting today are even FROM the south?

I’m just sayin. Texas native- TIP isn’t the “best ever”. Sorry. But he is mighty damn good. But he hasn’t really set the standard for artists. You can’t compare Jay-Z to TI, or 2Pac to TI, or Biggie to TI, or Scarface to TI, or anything like that. You can really only judge him with his peers; like Lil’Wayne and TI. But not those who are on an entirely different level. Even Outkast is on an entirely different level.

Like I said: TI is good, but he isn’t the best “southern artist ever.” High sales don’t mean anything; Lil’Wayne has high sales, and that doesn’t mean that he’s the “best rapper alive”. He’s just popular.

Look: No one is “hating on you” because you are making some type of bullshit “cardinal sin” of hip hop, like its a religion (it’s a culture, and the music is Rap, not hip hop. Hip Hop= Culture. Rap= Music genre a part of Hip Hop.). Its just that you can’t just say, IMO, stupid shit and not expect flak for it. He’s a great artist with a good career- let’s leave it at that.

Because we can say that about more artists. “Kanye West is the best mid-west artist ever “Jay-Z is the best east coast artist ever.”* “Snoop Dogg is the best west coast artist ever.”* Or anything else.

** I say these two because all the credit goes to 2Pac or Biggie, and these two are put so high on the pedestool it discourages hip hop artists to achieve better (because we’re hell bent on comparing them to passed away artists and say they’ll never be as good as then. Then they die and become legends.)

10.04.09 at 8:50 pm

Deer'est OE

If it ain’t TIP, then who?

Should be 3000, but he’s in a group which disqualifies him (I think).

All truth though —> When Andre 3 Stacks is on a track – group or “guest-ing”, that’s the verse I’m checking for. His writing is largely unparalleled.

10.04.09 at 8:59 pm

me

hmm the jay-z t.i comparison makes sense cuz i never liked his ass either outside of the blueprint one. he said it himself ” yall respect my dollars” which is true. if i remember correctly when big and pac (with t.i one would argue when outkast was big) were around he was more of a side note or radio star. when the sun dies the stars will light up the sky

10.04.09 at 9:29 pm

PETEY the GREAT

rich boy is GOAT

throw some d’s on that bitch!

10.04.09 at 10:32 pm

P.S.A

if you’re talking about solo artists….shit…I may have to give T.I his due.

however….as a collective whole…Outkast is definitely better.

T.I is inching close though…I realize that Trap Muzik is a classic..I also consider KING a classic…the rest of T.I’s albums have been dope…even T.I vs. T.I.P.

I was just saying this to my boy yesterday, but I think Luda>T.I. before we even get into talking about ‘Kast

10.04.09 at 11:00 pm

J. Tinsley

Joker,

I broke it down to “best southern artist ever” because he has constantly referred to himself as the King of the South.

And nothing I ever said was stupid (I don’t think lol), I stated my opinion and supported it.

To each his own though. I’m not mad at anyone who disagrees. This wasn’t a post to rally the troops, I just wanted everyone’s opinion.

10.05.09 at 1:22 am

jcrillz

Dope, well-written article. He may or may not be the best Southern rapper to date, but he’s definitely one of the most consistent. With the exception of “I’m Serious” (the brotha couldn’t rap if his life depended on it), he’s released the most solid albums of many major hip-hop artists, let alone Southern rap artists. Once again, props on the article, J.

10.05.09 at 9:49 am

Greums : A World Celebration

i don’t give a fucc that mr scarface !
doesn’t want the king of south’s title !!
take it and fix it. i made an emeritus statement !!! peace

10.05.09 at 12:48 pm

Douglas Howser

The only thing that disqualifies Scarface from being the King of the South is that his success came from him being in a group. If he had gained his popularity before the Geto Boys, then we’d have an arguement.

10.05.09 at 1:08 pm

Sir Run Run Paw

He might not enjoy the widespread success and popularity that T.I. however, I must tip my hat to Z-Ro, he might not be the king, but still though, that fella’s music and lyrics got the heart beat of a king.

10.05.09 at 2:14 pm

ARon

Did you really just say Face is dq’d from being King of the South cus he was in a group? T.I. would even disagree with you on that one.

10.06.09 at 5:33 pm

gospher

im gonna agree with you 100 percent on this article
the guy has veristyle the man can tell a story make a anthem a lyricist and just overall dope i wasnt impressed the most by his latest album but it whoop the shit out of most albums of that year i got respect for him
and now that i think about the whole concept of trap rap how he gonna presented it then all these artist came around the corner so yeah …. i would say he is the king of the south
out

10.07.09 at 3:27 pm

Big papiBig Papi

Hell naw, that half-pint and the KOS. And why is this even a question, did something happen to Brad “Scarface” Jordan?

10.07.09 at 3:31 pm

John

get the fuckkk out of here. he nowhere near the top. Andre 3000, Scarface, Bun B all have produced better music. And personally Z-Ro is my favorite. TI can not touch Z-Ro. Realer music and something niggaz can relate to. If you wanna go off sales and popularity yeah TI got him. But for real ass music he’s not fucking with a lot of dudes. Real Talk

10.07.09 at 3:32 pm

John

And lyrically K-Rino is one of the best fuck South. SPC been in it for a minute

10.07.09 at 6:54 pm

J. Tinsley

Lol, to each his own I guess.

10.08.09 at 6:57 pm

DJ KING

I DONT REALLY COMMENT ON BLOGS BUT SHREK ARE YOU DUMB ARE JUST PLAIN STUPID OUTKAST HAS MY RESPECT ON ALL LEVELS ANDRE 3 RACKS IS 1 OF THE COLDEST BUT YOU PUT DOWN TIP FOR MAKING DEAD AND GONE, AND LIVE UR LIFE HAVE YOU PICKED UP ANDRE’S LAST ALBUM THE LOVE BELOW COME ON NOW IF THAT AINT SELLING OUT I DONT KNOW WHAT IS…… TIP IS THE KING OF THE SOUTH HANDS DOWN NOBODY TOUCHING TIP HE HAD THE HOTTEST VERSE ON A SONG THE FEATURED 4 OF THE GAMES GODFATHERS HOV, KAYNE, AND WEEZY SWAGGER LIKE US AND JUST KEEPS BRINGING HIT, AFTER HIT, AFTER HIT NAME ANOTHER RAPPER DOING IT O AND J TINSLEY TRAP MUSIK IS DEFIANTLY A CLASSIC ALBUM

10.08.09 at 7:00 pm

DJ KING

AND JOHN SAID TI CANT TOUCH Z-RO LMFAO

((((((((WHO IN THE FUCK IS A Z-RO))))))))

I MEAN EVERYONES IN TILTED 2 THERE OWN OPINION BUT LETS MAKE THESE OPINIONS REASONABLE PPL

10.14.09 at 10:45 am

Robin

You took the words right out my mouth J. Tinsley. T.I. does deserve his self-proclaimed title “King of the South”. As of 2009, TI is unarguably the best in the south and I will take a step further and say the best in the GAME “right now”….I know hundreds would disagree but that’s my opinion. The man was underated for so long that people are not really checking his resume. I highly encourage anyone doubting his lyrcial ability, creativiting, artistic development, and content depth to go back and listen to “What Happened”, “I’m Serious”, “What’s Yo Name”, “Grand Royal”, (I Can’t be your Man is the funniest track I’ve ever heard) “Be Easy”, “Can’t Quit”, “Doing My Job” “Bezzle” “Why U Mad A Me”, “Praying for Help” “The Greatest” (Mannie Fresh did that!!), “Stand Up”, “My Life”….I could continue on through the KING album, TI Vs TIp, and Paper Trail and all his mix tapes (oh and J. Tinsley you are forgetting about all the volumes of his mixtape “In Da Streetz”) but I’m tired of typing…just do your homework before you doubt this man talent and deserving title. Best Rapper right now doesn’t mean he is the best rapper ever! So Scarface, Dre, Outkast, Jay Z etc can all be considered the greatest to ever do it but none of them are doing it right now! BPIII was alright…good comeback because American Gangster was lacking and so was BPII. TI manages to stay relevant….Im Serious dropped in 01 and here it is 8 years later and he still giving the industry classic music.

05.13.11 at 11:26 am

Peggie Armagost

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